Sands Faculty and Student Collaborate on Musical Production in Romania

Faculty in Pace University’s Sands College of Performing Arts Graham Kindred, MFA, and Cosmin Chivu, PhD, alongside Mel Zago ‘27, a senior in the BFA in Production and Design for Stage and Screen, recently brought their creative expertise to Romania for the premiere of The Land of Whims, an original musical production created for the renowned Teatrul Luceafărul in Iași.

Written and adapted with original music by Chivu, also an alumnus of the acting program at the National Theater and Arts Academy in Iasi, The Land of Whims marks a directorial return to his hometown stage after 30 years. Based on themes inspired by French author André Maurois, the musical follows Mira and her brothers as they navigate an enchanted digital realm where children can have anything they wish for, only to discover that boundless freedom requires responsibility and self-awareness.

Kindred, chair of Sands College's BFA in Production and Design for Stage and Screen program, designed the production's sets and lighting, while Zago designed the costumes. Together, their work brought a distinctive visual identity to the musical and demonstrated the creative possibilities of faculty-student collaboration.

A multicultural learning experience in artistic craft

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The unique faculty-student partnership in The Land of Whims served as a lively platform for mutual learning between American and Romanian theatrical traditions.

The production, brought to life through the vision of Romania’s Teatrul Luceafărul Children and Youth Theatre, featured a local artistic team comprising seven cast members and more than 40 designers, assistant designers, and technical professionals. While local artists brought emotional intensity, a deep connection to text, and a rich history of ensemble storytelling, the American team from Sands (named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of The 25 Best Drama Schools in the World, 2026), contributed specialized approaches in character research, immersive visual technology, and hands-on production methodology.

Reflecting on both the shared spirit and pedagogical foundation of the project, Chivu noted, “Development of new work does not function through imposition, but through trust, dialogue, and collaboration.”

Setting the stage for a more lasting human connection

Another noteworthy aspect of this musical production is that The Land of Whims is now part of the permanent repertory of Teatrul Luceafărul and will continue to be performed for audiences in Iași for years to come. Beyond its home stage in Iași, the production will also travel to various international festivals across Europe, sharing the team’s cross-cultural collaboration with even wider audiences.

Said Kindred, “It is pretty special that something the three of us created together in Romania is now going to have a life well beyond our time there.”

The joint effort is also a testament to the artistic world moving toward a synthesis of these distinct global traditions rather than their separation, as observed by Chivu.

He said, “Romanian actors bring rare emotional strength and total dedication, while American traditions emphasize rigorous character development and physical design. When these approaches meet, both sides learn from each other's craft, expanding how we think about theatre as a universal space for human connection across cultures and generations."

Experiential learning for a new generation of artists

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Chivu also reflected on how, along with Kindred, his longtime collaborator, the inclusion of Zago in this project as a student brought the energy of a new generation of artistic talent, demonstrating how fertile the dialogue between experience and youth can be.

He said, “Together, we gave life to a magical world where the story can be experienced not just with the mind, but with the heart."

For Zago, working alongside their professors, as well as with the actors and production staff at the Teatrul Luceafărul Children and Youth Theatre, was a truly eye-opening experience.

“Not only did I get to learn about the theater taking place outside my classroom doors, but I was also able to experience it on the other side of the world! I learned significantly from experiences and perspectives outside my own, as well as further developed my skills as a designer and collaborator through the unique challenges and experiences I worked through.

Throughout this process I worked through everything from language barriers to materials I had never heard of, and amazing relationships and collaborations were built alongside the costumes I designed."

Creativity knows no boundaries

Whether discovering new creative possibilities in Romania or bringing stories to life at One Pace Plaza East, home to Sands College’s new state-of-the-art theaters, rehearsal studios, and production facilities, Pace students are finding inspiration and opportunities to hone their craft.

Through opportunities to learn from industry professionals and connect with creative communities around the world, they are broadening their perspectives, exchanging ideas, and finding inspiration in experiences that extend well beyond campus.

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